Goal Setting: Setting & Striving

Solution Preview

Hello,

In this particular task, you are being asked to present your current understanding of goal-setting and motivation as it relates to social cognition and the decision making process. You can also use the listed references below. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Xenia Jones
---------------------------------------

2) Goal Setting Factors

A number of theories influence goal setting but it was first established as an open theory (where new knowledge improves and amends the old theory) in the 60's by Edwin Locke who proposed that setting goals is linked to tasked performance. For Locke, people who aim high, set higher goals and have the ability (as opposed to people who aim low or have/do not have the ability), do not have any conflicting goals to deter from achieving set goals, a positive linear relationship between goal achievement and difficulty can be expected. So, what are the factors that affect goal? The factors that affect goal setting can be manifold or minimized dependent upon the goal being set. For I/O practitioners, the following factors must be considered:
- A strong motivation to achieve a set goal. When goals are clear, specific but difficult to attain, a strong motivating factor makes the individual work harder and more focused than when faced when simple, general and vague goals.
- Measurable and clear goals can lead to better output and performance.
- Workable timelines and deadlines allow for appropriation of time, energy and resources that can lead to goal achievement.
- Are the goals realistic? Are they challenging? Challenge makes the anticipation of reward a great motivation but it has to be anchored in reality to be achieved.
- Is the individual self-efficient, committed, skilled and self-confident - enough to warrant the possibility of achieving the goals set?

These are among the factors that must be considered when goal-setting to determine goals that can be seen as achievable and best fit to the individual. Additionally, goals must be identified for the short term and the long term as short-term goals can be so designed that they become the stepping stones towards achieving long term goals.

3) Recent Personal Goal

For years, I have tried many fad diets in the hopes of achieving a slim figure and a healthy lifestyle. One of the things that I did not do, however, was to faithfully go to the gym and work out - to burn the calories, to shape the body. I used to go to the gym regularly when I was much younger, and I only did so because I would go on certain days of the ...